IPS Monitor List: AHVA, PLS and IPS LCD Panels

I'm often asked for a recommendation on what type or brand of LCD monitor offers the best picture quality, to which I usually suggest a display model that's manufactured using In-Plane Switching panel technology. IPS monitors are known for providing superior color accuracy, better image consistency, and wider viewing angles than the more commonly found TN (Twisted Nematic) panels. This list goes a bit further and compiles most, if not all, of the S-IPS, AH-IPS, e-IPS and other panel variations that use In-Plane Switching that are currently being used for LCD monitors and available on the retail market, including proprietary "IPS-like" panels from AUO (AHVA) and Samsung (PLS).

This list is sortable; it can be arranged (in ascending or descending order) by Size, Resolution or Model Name. The default sorting is alphabetical by manufacturer. Updates will be made when newer models are introduced or older models are discontinued, replaced by newer models, or no longer available from retail outlets. Models that have been recently added to the list are marked with a NEW tag. Once a display has been discontinued by the manufacturer and production has ceased it will be removed from the list. For more information about In-Plane Switching read LCD Panel Technology Explained, which covers the main LCD panel types and advantages provided by LCDs that make use of this technology. Check back frequently for updates so you can find the best IPS monitor that meets your requirements.

Note For Professionals

A calibration tool should be utilized to receive the full benefits of a IPS monitor. I recommend the Spyder5PRO. Also, e-IPS and similar panels with only 6-bit support should be avoided if you do any photo editing or use software that requires accurate color representation. e-IPS (and some AH-IPS) panels have better viewing angles than TN technology, but many of them are 6-bit displays that only support 8-bit color depth through a method of dithering (FRC), unlike other high-end IPS variations which make use of true 8-bit (or higher) LCD panels that can support a much larger gamut of colors.

Rundown of In-Plane Switching Variations Used Today

In today's LCD market there are many versions and diversity found among IPS technologies, unlike when S-IPS first started to become popular among PC enthusiasts many years ago. Some of these panel types appear to be merely marketing gimmicks (p-IPS), while others actually do offer improvements or physical changes (H-IPS). The following reviews the main variations of In-Plane Switching tech most commonly utilized in modern LCDs:

S-IPS - Super In-Plane Switching was a big improvement that helped popularize the technology among average consumers. They offered improved performance and better response times than the first generation of standard IPS panels. You will find there are few manufacturers who still list their monitors as being S-IPS in the specifications; they have been mostly replaced by newer variations such as AH-IPS.

H-IPS - Horizontal In-Plane Switching introduced a physical change to the pixel structure of In-Plane Switching technology. Before this change, IPS pixels resembled the shape of an arrow. H-IPS pixels, upon closer inspection, look like straight lines arranged vertically. These panels have very similar characteristics to S-IPS, but one noticeable difference is what is now known as "IPS glow". S-IPS panels have a purple tint when viewing dark images from wide angles, whereas H-IPS is more of a white tint, hence the coining of the term.

e-IPS - The life of this panel type has been very vague. It has been referred to as both E-IPS (Enhanced In-Plane Switching) and e-IPS (Economic In-Plane Switching). The e-IPS version is a simplified version of H-IPS that doesn't require a strong backlight due to greater transparency, thus pricing for these panels is generally cheaper than other similar monitors. E-IPS is an "enhanced" version of S-IPS which featured higher contrast ratios and faster pixel response times.

p-IPS - Performance In-Plane Switching is simply a marketing term NEC has applied to their 10-bit line of H-IPS displays to separate them from lower end models.

AH-IPS - LG made even greater performance gains and more accurate color representation with Advanced High Performance In-Plane Switching, as well as reduced power consumption.

Super PLS - Super Plane-to-Line Switching was developed in 2010 by Samsung as a wide viewing angle panel to counter LG's In-Plane Switching technology. Super PLS is very similar in design and construction to IPS, though Samsung claims their PLS technology is less expensive to manufacture and achieves higher brightness levels.

AHVA - Despite having VA in the acronym, Advanced Hyper-Viewing Angle panel technology from AUO is simply another proprietary panel type (similar to Samsung PLS) with an IPS foundation to achieve wide viewing angles and accurate color reproduction. AHVA panels are not actually using vertical alignment, so they do not exhibit color or gamma shifts commonly found from that panel type.

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